Well, that was an interesting three months.I was meritoriously promoted to PFC as i was a squadleader and a scribe.I did well at everything, shot expert, 294 PFT with pneumonia and 1st class swim qualification.

While the 3 months obviously sucks at times it is 100% worth it and i am a much better person now than i was before and i can't wait to begin SOI. Oh, i am a 0300.

IF any of the folks on here are considering joining the Corps and have any questions on recruit training just ask.

Originally Posted By 1911builder:Congratulations Marine. You are now a memeber of a special group of men. I wish I could do it over again and once more be a proud young Marine. Charles The Gunsmith. CWO-3 USMC (ret)

ETA: In my day it was called 'ITR', Infantry Training Regiment. Is this now called 'SOI'?

Gunner,

I'm not sure when the name was changed. I went through in 92' and it was called School of Infrantry then.

Originally Posted By walrus:Congrats man. From what I've heard though, SOI sucks compared to the Parris Island experience. YMMV.

So you only " heard " huh? Two different animals there feller.

Yeah, I have 4 relatives in the Corps that I speak to on a regular basis, along with 3 close friends who are active duty. I've also read numerous accounts where recent graduates from Parris Island find to be alot more motivating and life changing than SOI. I know alot about the Corps for someone who isn't in yet, but I will be attending OCS this summer as I was accepted into the PLC program in January. I'm offering info that I've heard from many sources that have been there/done that. So please, get off your high horse.

Welcome. You will remember your boot graduation date the rest of your life. Not the specifics so much as the date.

Didn't it just suck ass standing outside of the chow hall watching the Airlines take off? It was surreal finally getting on the plane and watching MCRD grow smaller and smaller.

If you stay in long enough and have the opportunity apply for the Drill Field. I sometimes regret bailing after five years to go to college. I have a couple of buddies who did drill duty and they loved it.

Hopefully in 16 years I'll be watching my first born graduate MCRD.

JS

I may be out of the Marine Corps, but the Marine Corps is in me for life.

Originally Posted By Karaya1:Well, that was an interesting three months.I was meritoriously promoted to PFC as i was a squadleader and a scribe.I did well at everything, shot expert, 294 PFT with pneumonia and 1st class swim qualification.

While the 3 months obviously sucks at times it is 100% worth it and i am a much better person now than i was before and i can't wait to begin SOI. Oh, i am a 0300.

IF any of the folks on here are considering joining the Corps and have any questions on recruit training just ask.

I can't wait for SOI to start.

I am glad to be back on the boards, even if it is just for 10 days.

Let me know if you ever go to MOUT town, Ill be sure to be nice enough to shoot you up with SIM. CONGRATS

The war in Iraq is rated PG13 for language and some violence.

Do you not know that I live by war, and that peace would be my undoing? -Sir John Hawkwood

Originally Posted By 1911builder:Congratulations Marine. You are now a memeber of a special group of men. I wish I could do it over again and once more be a proud young Marine. Charles The Gunsmith. CWO-3 USMC (ret)

ETA: In my day it was called 'ITR', Infantry Training Regiment. Is this now called 'SOI'?

It changed around 86' or so. It was a couple of months old when I went through myself. Same school ,different name.

"I'm currently naked."When the boogy man goes to sleep,he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Originally Posted By walrus:Congrats man. From what I've heard though, SOI sucks compared to the Parris Island experience. YMMV.

So you only " heard " huh? Two different animals there feller.

Yeah, I have 4 relatives in the Corps that I speak to on a regular basis, along with 3 close friends who are active duty. I've also read numerous accounts where recent graduates from Parris Island find to be alot more motivating and life changing than SOI. I know alot about the Corps for someone who isn't in yet, but I will be attending OCS this summer as I was accepted into the PLC program in January. I'm offering info that I've heard from many sources that have been there/done that. So please, get off your high horse.

Yup,you'll be a good officer. Don't take into consideration someone who has been there and done that and has YEARS on you.Someone who has already proven time and time again they had what it takes. Typical officer way of thinking.You guys will never change. I thought I knew a lot about the 'Corps as well before I went in. Anyway,sorry to hi-jack.

"I'm currently naked."When the boogy man goes to sleep,he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Originally Posted By walrus:Congrats man. From what I've heard though, SOI sucks compared to the Parris Island experience. YMMV.

So you only " heard " huh? Two different animals there feller.

Yeah, I have 4 relatives in the Corps that I speak to on a regular basis, along with 3 close friends who are active duty. I've also read numerous accounts where recent graduates from Parris Island find to be alot more motivating and life changing than SOI. I know alot about the Corps for someone who isn't in yet, but I will be attending OCS this summer as I was accepted into the PLC program in January. I'm offering info that I've heard from many sources that have been there/done that. So please, get off your high horse.

Yup,you'll be a good officer. Don't take into consideration someone who has been there and done that and has YEARS on you.Someone who has already proven time and time again they had what it takes. Typical officer way of thinking.You guys will never change. I thought I knew a lot about the 'Corps as well before I went in. Anyway,sorry to hi-jack.

Then you come up with the gem of, "Don't take into consideration someone who has been there and done that and has YEARS on you.Someone who has already proven time and time again they had what it takes." I'm pretty sure I am considering the opinion of someone who has been there. Reading comprehension is your friend. I wouldn't have responded how I did had you not made the statement, "So you only " heard " huh? Two different animals there feller." Completely unwarranted and condescending. I passed on the info I've heard from enlisted Marines that I know. And yes, I will be a good officer, because I know my job is to serve my men. Sorry to hi-jack as well.

Thanks guys.Yea i was at MCRD in SD and i didn't appreciate the airplanes but they don't wake you up at night or anything. OH and for the guys with the SOI question: They call it SOI and when you are there you are in the ITB (Infantry Training Battalion).

Oh, and the Drill Instructors are very kind and gentle. It's like Church Camp.

Congratulations, MARINE! You have now joined a truly unique fraternity that you will belo ng to for the remainder of your life. You have a lot to uphold in you tour of duty. As time goes by it will come to mean more to you than you will know. Whatever you decide to do, do it to the best of your ability and you will not be disappointed.